Building construction



Aug. 9, 1966 A. c. BIGGS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 22, 1964 INVENTOR. A 6. 5/665 United States Patent .0

3,265,217 BUILDING CQNSTRUCTION Ariel (I. Biggs, Whittier, t'lalifi, assignor to Angeles Metal Trim Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed July 22, 1964, Ser. No. 384,486 9 Claims. (Ql. 2111-90) This invention relates broadly to wall structures for buildings and generally it relates to such structures wherein the wall stud portions, or at least parts thereof, are metal and include upstanding metal members for supporting shelf-brackets. More specifically, the invention relates to means for positioning metal shelf-brackets carried by such metal supporting members.

In walls of the nature indicated, wallboard, such as plasterboard, is often used as a wall surface, and openings through or between wallboard sections are employed for the reception of metal shelf-brackets which engage the upstanding metal supports for the brackets.

In one form of structure, vertical channel irons are used which are formed of relatively heavy metal, the web portion of each such channel iron having slots for selectively receiving the metal brackets at its inner ends and supporting the brackets and shelves thereon at varying elevations. Commonly, with such structures, the outer ends of the brackets will swing laterally through a considerable arc with possible resultant damage to the adjacent wallboard edges and possible dislodgment of supported shelving.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide holder means mountable upon the mentioned slotted channel irons which will prevent sway of the installed shelf-brackets and will also permit ready installation of the shelf-brackets.

Another object is to provide shelf-bracket holders which may include means causing the holders to serve also as firestops by blocking upward air movement through slots in the channel irons and vertically through the channel irons themselves, whereby to check combustion that might otherwise be supported by such air movements.

Other objects of the invention, and various features of construction thereof, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following description and the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a form of the improvement presently deemed to represent the best means for practicing the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a wall and stud portions thereof equipped with two holders of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a large scale cross-sectional view approximately as indicated by the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view indicating the relationship of the present holder to a slotted channel iron in which the present holder is to be installed; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the relationship between installed parts.

In the drawing, the combined firestop and elongated positioning member, and shelf-bracket-supporting metal channel of this invention, are shown in assembled relation and installed in a wall structure in the perspective view of FIG. 1 and in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. In these figures, metal shelf-brackets are indicated positioned in operative relationship. The combined firestop and elongated positioning member of this invention is separately illustrated at the right of FIG. 3, and the shelf-bracket-supporting metal channel member in which the positioning device is installed is separately illustrated at the left of FIG. 3.

3,265,217 Patented August 9, 1966 In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown an upstanding metal stud assembly generally indicated at 10. This assembly unit 10 includes, at each side of the wall, a vertical heavygauge slotted U-shape channel iron support 12, slots therein being indicated at 12a for the reception of laterally projecting shelf-brackets 13. With this particular type of wall construction, the channel iron supports 12 are connected and spaced by means of flanged stud-retaining spring clips 14 which are welded to the sides or flanges of the respective channel iron supports 12 as indicated at Ma, and which, typically, are of lighter gauge metal than that of the slotted upstanding channel iron supports 12. Thus, each channel iron support 12 carries a studretaining spring clip 14 at each side, and the respective clips 14- are arranged back to back. In order to further stabilize the structure, a vertical spacer 15, best indicated in FIG. 2, is welded at 15a to the opposing or near faces of the opposing spring slips 14. The clips 14 are arranged vertically along the channel iron supports 12 in pairs at appropriate intervals for the purpose. The clips 14 have resilient flanges 16, and their function is to mount the structure upon upstanding vertical metal studs 20 which extend, for example, from floor to ceiling. The flange portions 16 thus frictionally engage corresponding flange portions 22 of the studs 20. For the purpose of further stabilizing the whole wall structure channeled stiffening bars 25 may be passed through openings 26 (FIG. 1) provided in the studs 20 and welded in position in the latter as indicated at 28 in FIG. 2.

For the purpose of completing a wall structure of the general type indicated, sections of wallboard 30 are mounted upon the assembly of the channel supports 12, the spring clips 14 and the metal studs 20 in the manner illustrated. Such wallboard sections 30 may be secured to the clips 14 and the studs 20 through the medium of self-threading screws 35 which are commonly applied by screw setting machines and act to thread themselves through the small gauge metal of the flanges 16 and 22 of the clips 14 and'studs 20.

It is in a wall structure such as that above described and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the present improvement is installed and to which it is particularly adapted for use. Inasmuch as such a structure requires insertion of the inner ends of metal shelf brackets 13 into the slots 12:: of the channelled bracket supports 12, the edges of adjacent wallboard sections 3%) are spaced from each other sufficiently to receive the shelf brackets 13 as their inner portions are being passed to and through slots 12a. Such a spacing 32 is indicated especially in FIG. 2, which spacing 32 may approximate the width of the slot 12a, or if desired may be somewhat wider than the width of the slots 12a in order to facilitate more ready introduction of the shelf brackets 13. As illustrated in the drawing and particularly in FIG. 4 thereof, the inner ends of the shelf brackets are more or less conventionally provided with hook elements 33, as seen in FIG. 4. These elements 33 are proportioned to pass through the slots 12a as the brackets 13 are being installed, and they are notched as indicated at 34 so as to drop down over the upper edge portions of the Web or main wall 12b between the slots 12a of the respective channel iron support 12. With such an arrangement as illustrated, the inner lower portion of each hook 33 positions the bracket 13, and provides for supporting a shelf on the outer arm portion, and the notch at the lower hook member 33 (if used) acts particularly to position the corresponding lower portion of each bracket 13 in conjunction with that portion of the web 12b between respective slots 12a, the abutting contacts of the described parts supporting the bracket 13.

In practical operation, where the hook portions 33 of the bracket 13 are passed into supporting position in the slots 12a, the clearances required to permit ready installation also permit the lateral swaying of the outer end of each bracket 13 through a very substantial are which may be, in some instances, as much as 15 or degrees. Such movement is prejudicial both to position of shelves carried by the bracket arms 13 and to edge portions of the opposing wallboard sections 30. Also, entrance of air through unoccupied slots 12a tends to provide a tire hazard.

In order to prevent away of the outer ends of the brackets 13 and to prevent entrance of air through slots 12a and rising of air up through the channels of each channel support 12, this improvement employs a bracketpositioning elongated metal firestop 40 which is also particularly designed to receive and position the inner end portions or hooks 33 of the shelf brackets 13 so that they cannot swing laterally significantly at their outer ends either to disturb shelving mounted thereupon or to strike edges of adjacent wallboard sections and injure the latter. To accomplish these functions the positioning member 40 is rolled from a single strip of metal into the shape best indicated in FIG. 3, which metal strip will ordinarily be spring metal similar to that used in the production of the spring clips 14 and the studs 20, and will have substantially the same gauge as that of the parts 14 and 20. This metal, desirably will be that known as 0.022" heavy-duty rolled steel. Significantly, this positioning member 40 will be primarily rolled or shaped to provide at its edges overhanging flanges or returns 42 which, when installed will bear against the outer edges 43 of the sides of the respective channeled support 12. Also a significant feature is the formation of a median channel section 45 which provides an inside transverse dimension equal to the thickness of the metal forming the hooks 33 of the shelf bracket 13. Typically, this would be a width of one-eighth inch and approximate rather closely that of the slot 12a. The bottom, or bight, of the channel 45 is spaced away from the bottom or in side wall of the main web 12b of the respective channelled support 12 so as to be approximately flush with the edge faces 43 of the side members of the support 12 when the positioning element 40 is installed as seen especially in FIG. 2.

Under these circumstances, sway of the outer end of the respective shelf bracket 13 is almost entirely eliminated. If desired, a slight taper or angularity may exist in the side wall 45a of the channel 45. From the innermost portions of these side walls, adjacent portions of the member 40 are extended to constitute reentrant walls 46 which carry at their outer edges the return flanges 42. Since an appreciable amount of resilience is desired in the positioning member 40 for the purposes of insuring a tight fit of the member 40 in the respective channel support 12, either the slight angularity in the walls of the channel 45, or slight angularity in the reentrant walls 46 at the sides of the positioning member 40, will initially be provided. This angularity may approximate 3 from parallelism with the side walls of the upstanding channel support 12. Such angularity of about 3, whether in the side walls 45a of the channel 45, or in the reentrant walls 46 at the sides of the device, will provide for variances that might exist in the side walls of the channel support 12. Such angularity will at the same time provide for positive centering of the hook portions 33 of the shelf bracket 13. Such 3 angularity further provides snug fitting of the member 40 in operating position in the respective support 12, thus requiring some pressure to install the positioning member 40 and insure positive centering of the channel 45. The positioning element is generally of W-shape, the outer reentrant walls 46 tapering outwardly at an angle of 6 to each other. The reentrant walls 46 and the inner walls 45a are joined by curved portions forming three joined U-shape sections that form the W-shaped member.

A further structural and functional advantage of the positioning member 40 is found in the fact that the positioning flanges 42, in addition to having positive engagement with the edge wall 43 of the channelled support 12, provide also a structural arrangement facilitating spot welding or brazing of the positioning member 40 in its installed location in the respective channel support 12. Such spot welding or brazing, which may be located as indicated at 48, permanently positions the member 40 to perform its firestop function and to maintain alignment in the channel support 12 whereby properly to align the shelf brackets 13. The reentrant portions 46 together wit-h walls 45a of positioning channel 45 act further to provide the required or resilience for frictional retention of this member 40 in its operating position should weld spots 48 not be used.

In order to insure the indicated firestopping function, the ends of channel extending longitudinally of the channel support 12 are closed. This is accomplished by flange clips 50 of substantially right-angle configuration as best seen at the bottom of FIG. 4, such clips 50 being installed both at the top of each positioning member 40 and at the bottom thereof to overhang and close the longitudinal passages formed between the channel support 12 and the positioning member 40. Each such clip is conveniently anchored to the member 40 by spot welding as at 52 to the bight of the median channel section 45. The transverse leg of each clip 50, when installed, extends into the respective ends of the channeled support 12 far enough to engage the inner wall of the web 1212 as well as the inner walls of the side flanges of such support 12. While the figures of the drawing indicate slight spacing between these parts (to facilitate clear illustration), nevertheless, it will be appreciated that in fact the respective edges in all instances contact one another so as to close completely the ends of the vertical channel.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that, having special reference to FIG. 2, upon installation of the combined firestop and bracket positioning member 40 in the channel of the upright channeled slotted support 12, the flanges 42 of the member 40 will result in positioning of the member 40 exactly as desired when they engage the outer edges 43 of the sides of the support 12. The use of spot welds 48 at infrequent intervals will assure retention of such positions. This positioning will dispose the bight of the channel 45 of the member 40 directly opposite the slots 12a and in position to receive the inner ends or hooks 33 of the bracket 13 with proper spacing to permit movement of the hooks 33 into operating position. It will also be apparent that such positioning of the hooks 33 will prevent sway or wobble of the outer ends of the brackets, whereby to avoid disturbing shelving mounted thereupon, and also to avoid injury to the adjacent edges of the wallboard sections 30 which might otherwise occur if the brackets were free to swing at their outer ends. It is further apparent that the reentrant portions 46 of the positioning member 40 and the channel section 45 will insure proper centering and alignment of the channel 45 with the brackets 13. Also, the disposition of the reentrant portion 46 at slight angles, such as indicated in FIG. 2, and, if desired, such positioning of the walls of the channel 45 at slight angles, will provide for automatic adjustment to variations in wall relationships of the sides of the channelled support 12 when necessary, and will additionally insure that frictional contact required to maintain the member 40 in operative location, assisted, if deemed desirable, by the spot welding 48.

It Will additionally be apparent that the use of the flange clips 50 at the opposite ends of the member 40 in the positions shown, to close the ends of respective channels in the support 12, will cause the member 40 to act also as a firestop by preventing movement of air upward through the support 12 to escape into the wall space between the sides of the wall.

While one embodiment has been disclosed which presently is deemed to represent the best form of practicing the invention, it will be apparent that variations within the spirit and scope of the claims will appear to those skilled in this art.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a shelf-bracket positioning device,

an elongated piece of metal W-shaped in cross section having: laterally and outwardly directed terminal flanges at its edges adapted to engage edges of a U-shape member;

intervening reversely bent portions of said W-shaped piece forming a median channel to receive and stabilize the end of a shelf-bracket in a predetermined position; and

oppositely bent portions spaced from the median channel portion for engaging sides of a U-shape member to position the device in a U-shape member.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said oppositely bent portions carry said flanges.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein closure pieces are mounted at the ends of said W-shaped metal piece to close longitudinal passages therethrough and through a U-shape member when installed in the U-shape member.

4. A device as in claim ll wherein said metal piece is resilient.

5. In combination:

an elongated, channelled support having slots in its web adapted to receive the ends of a supported bracket; and

a shaped metal positioning piece fitted into said channelled support and having flanges at its edges engaging edges of said channelled support,

said metal piece also having intermediate reversely bent portions providing a positioning channel opposite said slots to receive between its walls end portions of a bracket adapted to extend through slots of said support and to align such bracket end portions with said slots, and

reentrant portions joining said positioning channel portions and carrying said edge flanges, said edge flanges and said positioning channel portions being spaced from the web of said channelled support in predet3 same in tight frictional relation in said channelled support.

7. A combination as in claim 6 wherein closure pieces are mounted on the ends of said shaped metal piece to close said elongated passage through said channelled support.

8. A combination as in claim 5 wherein closure pieces are mounted on the ends of said shaped metal piece to close said elongated passage through said channelled support.

9. In combination:

an elongated, channelled support having slots in its web adapted to receive the ends of a supported bracket;

a shaped metal positioning piece fitted into said channelled support and having flanges at its edges engaging edges of said channelled support,

said metal piece also having intermediate reversely bent portions providing a positioning channel opposite said slots to receive, between its walls, end portions of a bracket adapted to extend through slots of said support and to align such bracket end portions with said slots, and

reentrant portions joining said positioning channel portions and carrying said edge flanges, said edge flanges and said positioning channel portions being spaced from the web of said channelled support in predetermined relation providing an elongated passage through said channelled support; and

a bracket member mounted in slots in said channelled support, inner portions of said bracket member extending into said positioning channel of said metal piece and being stabilized by walls thereof against significant sway of the bracket member outside said channelled support.

Reterences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

W. D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner. 

9. IN COMBINATION: AN ELONGATED, CHANNELLED SUPPORT HAVING SLOTS IN ITS WEB ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE ENDS OF A SUPPORTED BRACKET; A SHAPED METAL POSITIONING PIECE FITTED INTO SAID CHANNELLED SUPPORT AND HAVING FLANGES AT ITS EDGES ENGAGING EDGES OF SAID CHANNELLED SUPPORT, SAID METAL PIECE ALSO HAVING INTERMEDIATE REVERSELY BENT PORTIONS PROVIDING A POSITIONING CHANNEL OPPOSITE SAID SLOTS TO RECEIVE, BETWEEN ITS WALLS, END PORTIONS OF A BRACKET ADAPTED TO EXTEND THROUGH SLOTS OF SAID SUPPORT AND TO ALIGN SUCH BRACKET END PORTIONS WITH SAID SLOTS, AND 